Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-02-24
RIGHTS OF THE FISHERS
uU RFLMONT REPORTS THE
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE.

An Expisnation That the Measure ts Not
,haDistincttye Work OF the Member
,om New York-Its Advantages Over
the senate Bill Clearly Set Forth.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 23.-In the House
.o-dav MIR. Belmont from the Committee
m Foreign Affairs, reported the House
snbs1ltute for the Senate retaliation bill,
and under special order asked for it's
Immediate consideration.
Mr.. Rice raised the point OF order that
the substitute must be referred to the
committee of the whole on the ground
that it affected the revenue.
The Speaker overruled the point of Or
der. stating that there was nothing on the
face of the bill which showed that it
would either increase or reduce the reye-
lues.
In the course OF a brief discussion as
IN the limitation OF the debate, Mr.. Rice
referred to the substitute as the Belmont
nil. a distinction which Mr.. Belmont dis
claimed, stating that it was committee
bill, and that it had the approval OF those
nbo were best qualified to judge of our
atione with other governments. 1t was
finally determined that the debate should
he limited to three hours. Mr.. Belmont
opened the debate.
THE SEASON NEAR AT HAND.
Mr. Belmont said that soon after the ad-
lournment of Congress the fishing season
would commence, and in self-defense the
mower of defensive retaliation should be
conferred upon the President. There had
been no question in the Senate as to the
advisabiity of gi wing this power, but the
bill as it came from the Senate, was
open to certain objections. 1t pro-
yided in one section that the Pres-
dent should issue his proclamation
in case be was satisfied that our vessels
we're denied rights granted to the most
favored nations. We had no treaty with
Great Britain containing any favored ma
ton clause, nor did we intend to put our
selves on the same footing as any other
nation, since, under the treaty of peace,
we had certain rights In the deep sea
fisheries which no other nation except
Great Britain herself possessed.
MUST BE CLEAN CUT.
1t was but fair TO expect when Con-
gress placed upon him very great re-
SpOnsblity that it should be conferred
n distinct terms. This he did not think
the Senate bill did, and be therefore fa-
gOred the adoption of the substitute. In
Ihe debate which followed the Maine and
! Massachusetts members favored the
Senate bill as being all the New England
shemen desired. Members from other
FectOns, however, called attention to the
\ act thar it was not the fishermen alone
pho were Interested, that the question
Evolved was national and must be set
led upon broader basis than that of the
interest OF one section or one industry.
BEGUN IN A sKIRMIsH.
Mr. Clements, OF Georgia, said the
Fouble with Canada had originated in
bat had been called a mere skirmish
" bout hsh, but 1t had assumed larger
rOportions than a skirmish. The Amer
an nag had been hauled down and $50
mencan vessels had been searched or
u armed of, and the honor of the govern
lent was involved. He contended that
y be remedy was better provided in
n substitute than in the Sen
:" e bill, and he criticised the latter
It. easure for claiming only the same
glts for our fishermen that were ac-
" rGed TO the SUBJECTS of the most favored
NJ auohs. The substitute was better
"' amed In this respect. Another differ
ICE between the two measures was that
le House bill authorized the President
\ stoP tne coming OF locomotives and
I ~ lnto the United States. The gent
Gu rom the North and West should not
mplaln of this provision.
il NOT LOCAL QUESTION.
+o1 lis was not local question. II was
,fr "a New England question He hoped
sy AZ lne fres sdent would not be required
tivs exercise any part of the power con-
pa. led upon him, but when it was pro-
I" seu 10 deal with the question on the
ss Vi hon-lntercOurse the government
slt not TO stop with mere prohibition
ne incoming OF Canadian fish.
V'i t' Dahiel, OF Virginia, said that
treatment of American fishermen by
-. sqtnoriues OF the provincial govern
I" w ,.n nau oeen such as to demand the at
sVu 10 9l congress. Every man, however
& ana callous, who read the descrip-
"a u ol that treatment, would be satis-
tlaC the time had come when the
- JecI should have serious considera-
---~ NO GAsCoNADE ABOUT WAR.
~ mad heard none OF that gasconade
u. war which the gentleman from
. S"1li nusetts Mr.. Rice) referred to.
rTpeu i". thst there might be no war, but
Inefeu Ihat The way to prevent war
8 W. W. every government whose dignity
NJ Hsulleu or whose rights We're in.
y 'u ~; " meet tne question on the thres-
4 i, "ilu Decomlng dignity and with
y Ivy Whlch would project before the
& W. al nations. He argued that this
VVsSeI onI accomplished by the substI-
anu criticised 1.-THE fay ored nation"
~, vi vi the Senate bill as shifting the
ctach er Oh controversy aud going out OF
d IN e. S5 10 throw a cloud upon the gov
a oa cd u,S ,S proceeding. Ee strongly sup.
ASs S'S % @ auo railway clause OF the substl-
e bli Ou.intercomrssn'' '''oi ehecC!Ve the policy
eye se'
BUT LIE SUBSTITUTE ADOPTED
!, At the conclusion of ,ho 49,. 49,.
~ PASSED with but Que dissenting
'us 1sheries retaliation bill, amended
-. "u0ptlon of the substitute reported
ra a' House Committee on Foreign
- he 'Coe So on substituting the House bin
nasai,s PHI was l3S to 1913, and the
nor. 2SS 2SSSSsslng, Shg, the bill as thus amended
lal do 1 yeas to nay { Mr.. Dougherty. of
om i The conference report on the
gov NIL ng close season for macterel